saving photos

Posted by omaharrison (358 days ago)

What is the best way to save digital pictures for the long run and for how long is it safe? and maintenance? Meaning if I'll have to re-save them again.
cd, hard drive(external/internal), usb drive(those small ones)....?
I heard that on a cd they keep for only 5 years and later it's possible to have some problems.
I don't understand much about things like that (no need for drawings to explain :-p )
Thanks for help.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by Black-Virusss (358 days ago)

For keep digital photos is best CD if you use good CD and not scratch them!!!
If keep in Flash cards if u connect them not right and power from computer comes in right V then u will lost everything
Same with Hard Disk Drive
Same with Flash Disk
Same with every compact disk that use power to reed inside information
That is mean CD is the BEST
and what u hear about 5 years not right as I keep my data longer then 5 yeas and I can still use them
Just use high quality CD that is all!
And when u make a CD burning choose lover speed about 8 to 12 that is more better!!! If burn with high speed some CD-ROMs can't reed it
Good Luck!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (358 days ago)

I tend to use a multiple copy approach.
- On my home storage server, which is a redundant disk array. If you don't have one, use an external hard drive. These are not perfect but a good first line of defense.
- Burned on DVDs/CDs. Don't get the cheapest ones. Also burn on two DVDs and store them in different locations. If possible, store one DVD in a bank box.
- Every 4-5 years re-burn your DVDs/CDs. They don't last forever.
The important thing is redundancy. Don't just keep one copy.

If you're really paranoid you can use a service like Carbonite. This is remote backup of your stuff. Basically a client on your machine sends off the directories you select to remote and highly redundant storage. These services aren't really that expensive.


As for burning at lower speed, I don't think that's really necessary. Any CD burning software worth its salt will tell you if the burn didn't go off perfectly.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (358 days ago)

Thanks Black-Virusss and axptguy38.
I actually keep the pictures on two different drives on my pc and on two cd's so I guess this should do for now.
How do I tell a good quality cd?
And when you say 'bank box' you mean air sealed with silicone stuff inside?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Black-Virusss (358 days ago)

"As for burning at lower speed, I don't think that's really necessary. Any CD burning software worth its salt will tell you if the burn didn't go off perfectly."

Try to burn CD with 54x and put it in to 32x CD-ROM :)
Not every CD-ROM can read 54x even they write on it it's can!
That is mean the best speed of burning is 8 to 12!
And I not recommended DVD's as they have big capacity not every computer can open a DVD with full data!
It's from my experiences!
And about box I think he mean 1 CD + 1 Box
That is mean don't keep 2 CD in one CD box :)
better buy a case for CD with soft pockets for CD that is safe enough

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by NRM (358 days ago)

I actually never seen my CD-burner burn a CD-rom at 52x, I'm not even sure that is possible at least not all over the disk (since at constant rate of revolution the inne part of the disk should be conciderably slower than the outer part). And if I remember correctly mythbusters actually managed to shatter a CD-rom disk 23000 RPM which is well below the RPM at 52xref.speed.

As far as storage is concerned I tend to agree with axptguy38, the best option is to use different media to backup the same copy. _ALL_ formats have limited life span, so continuously copying and backing up data is a _must_. If you are really serious about long time storage you better get a tape-backup. T10000 tapes have a life time of 30 years or so..

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by omaharrison (358 days ago)

Carbonite? T100000? Where did I get myself into????? snif snif
Maybe I should have put it this way: I want to keep my family pictures in a way that I'll be able to show them to my kids and view them on tv many years from now and also whenever I wish alnog the way. I thought that in the digital era it will be easier to do so without printing them all.
Something which is also user friendly, like to connect to pc with usb cable and thats it.
This T10000 can be connected to pc with usb cable or do I need extra stuff?
Geez I feel thick. :-p

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by NRM (358 days ago)

:-) You can buy a external USB DAT/DDS-tape backup for around USD800: HP STORAGEWORKS DAT 72. I'm not sure if that is what you need tho, DVDs and CDs is IMHO by far the most convienient way for you to back up data. You just have to cycle the backup procedure every 3d year or so.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by axptguy38 (358 days ago)

"Something which is also user friendly, like to connect to pc with usb cable and thats it"

The manufacturers would like you to think it's this simple, but the technologies involved are evolving very fast and even a modern PC isn't something I would exactly call mature, like say a TV.

So I'm afraid there aren't any easy answers. But I will say Carbonite (from what I've hearD) makes life pretty easy. It's all supposed to be automatic after the first setup.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (357 days ago)

Well, thanks for all of the advices. Carbonite looks nice and I'll check for those tapes.
Now my cd drive refuse to burn hahahaha.

(I am based in Hong Kong)